Browns Lake Trail

Browns Lake starts high and only goes higher, following an old jeep road up from Crown Point onto a windswept shoulder of the Mummy Range. Within a mile and a half you cross into the Comanche Peak Wilderness and the whole country opens up — the Medicine Bow Range off to the west, Wyoming's Snowy Range to the north, the Mummy Range wheeling around to the south and east. Up here the trail threads sparse forest and open tundra, marked only by the occasional rock cairn, and it can vanish under lingering snow well into summer — carry a map and know how to use it.

After topping out near 11,400 feet the trail tips over and drops into the timber, meeting the Flowers Trail at the remnants of an old sheepherder's cabin, where a small spring gives the first reliable water — the northern three miles are bone dry, so start full. From there it falls into the cirque that cradles Browns and Timberline Lakes, two cold, clear pools tucked under Comanche Peak, then keeps descending toward the Beaver Creek Trail. Much of this lower stretch burned in the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire and is greening back beautifully, but burned ground means falling trees, hidden stump holes, and flash floods after even a light rain — watch the sky and the slope above you, and remember the day ends with a long climb back to the trailhead.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Ted's Place, drive 26.5 miles to the Pingree Park Road (at mile marker 96.1), cross the Cache la Poudre River, and continue 4.3 miles to Forest Road 139 (Crown Point Road). Turn right and follow the gravel Crown Point Road 12.3 miles to the Browns Lake parking lot on the right — the trailhead is across the road. There are no toilets or water at the trailhead, but the lot has a pull-through with room for stock trailers. Crown Point Road isn't plowed in winter and usually doesn't open until late June.

Know Before You Go

• Burn country. Much of this trail ran through the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire (Colorado's largest, nearly 209,000 acres) — watch for falling trees, hidden stump holes, rockslides, and flash flooding after even light rain, which can hit far downstream.
• It's a Wilderness trail. No bikes, no e-bikes, no motorized or wheeled use; group size is capped at 12 (people and stock combined) inside the Comanche Peak Wilderness.
• Route-finding is real. The upper, northern 4.3 miles follow an old jeep road above tree-line marked only by sporadic cairns — it's easy to lose under snow or on open tundra, so bring a map or GPS and don't count on visible tread.
• Carry your water. The first three (northern) miles are dry; the first reliable source is the spring by the Flowers Trail junction, then water is abundant at Browns and Timberline Lakes — treat everything you drink.
• Exposed to lightning. Long stretches sit on open alpine tundra above 11,000 feet with no shelter — be off the high crest by early afternoon when storms build.
• Horses: rated moderate overall, but the steep southern 1.4 miles below the lakes can be difficult or dangerous for stock; overnight stock is prohibited in the Travel Zone, and only pellets or certified weed-free hay are allowed.
• Season & dogs. Crown Point Road isn't plowed and usually opens in late June; dogs must be on a hand-held leash with hikers (voice control with stock).